Moses johnson



M. JOHNSON. Potato Digger.

Patented June 30, 1868.

N. PETERS. PHD

Mose-s JI-OHNS'O N, or; min-REE "RIVER-8,:MI-G-HIGAN.

Letters Patent No. 79,473, dated June 30,1868.

IMPROVEMENT n Porno-meshes.

flip? fitlgstuh new to in time new emnanimating hart of the nine.

I TO WHOMY IT .M AY. constant I i I Be it known that I, Moses Joimsornflof Three'Rivers, in theconnty'o'f St. Joseph, and State of Michigan, have invented a new and-valuable Improvement in Potato-Diggers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the ,constructionand operation of the same, reference being hadit o the annexed drawings, maliing a part ofthis sgecifieation, and to the letters-and figures of reference marked thereon;

Fignie 1 of the drawings is an inverted plan view of: my device. Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on the ,line 3 y of fig.- 1, and the remainder of 'the figures are details.

The nature .of my invention consists in providing 'nieans for removing the potato-tops, digging the -potte toes, sifting the earth therefrom, and depositingthem in heaps 'upon theground in one continuous process.

My potato-digger isnsnally constructed with two wheels, as represented, one of which hasspnrson its tire or periphery. I call this the. spurred carriage-wheel A.

On the inner side ofthe spurred wheel A, and attached thereto, isa grooved wheel, marked 13. This is. connected with a grooved head on the rollerD, hereinafter mentioned, by a, round leather" strap, that moves. in 7 said grooves respectively. v

The letters C are two arms, extending downward diagonally from the main carriagesframe, at an angle with said frame of about forty-five degrees. Between these two arms I adjust the shovel E, by screwing the same by its flanges to said arms in tbe mann'e'r shoiwn. To the lower sides of these arms I also attach the roller D by staples or other snitable means. These arms 0 are also connected with and 'partially supported by the two arms, F, that eitencl from the second cross-beam, from the rear of the carriage-frame, in the manner repre- I sented. I Immediately under said last mentioned cross-beam, and attached thereto by staples or otherwise, is I the roller a. I

The letter G is an endless'bolt or platform, constructed with leather belts at its sides, and continuous cross-slats, so arranged and adjusted as to allow tho earth taken up by the shovelwith the potatoes topass through theinterstiees. I

The letter His a potato-box, the bottom of which is hinged, and it is so connoctedwith the devices. next. mentioned that it may be opened'or closed readily at the will of the operator.

The'letter K is a lever, pivoted at its lower end to the bottom of box Passingfrom the rear beam of the carriage-frame to the beam next in front thereof, is a bar, M. A shoulder on the lever ,K is adjusted-to shut overthis bar, and-therehyhold the bottom ofthe-potato-box in its place when the same is closed;- The letter O is a spring arrangetl to hold the levenK against the'bar M;

Ihe letters is a device for removing the potato-tops.' It is attached to the arms 0 bysuitable hinges, andhangs at about thesame angle as the shovel,- and extends about a foot in-front thereof. Its ofiice is-to remove the potato-tops and all weeds and other like obstructions from the surface of the hill before it is reached by the shovel. I I

I construct this puller in'a variety of for ns,all having fingers or teeth as represented. I TheFigures 3,

7, and 4, and the Qonformation shown on fig. 1 of the drawings, are among the forms used, but others not herein shown may be profitably constructed and used.

My shovel also may be made a variety -of forms, among which are those represented on Figures 5 and 6." In very light soil, fig. 5 is an-excellent form to use. In soil tolerhbly light, the fig. 6 may be usedto advan tage, but, in heavy or stony soil the usual form, without teeth or openings, is most desirable.. I

My device for raising orlowering the shovel and puller is'an upright or 'circular arm, Q, in combination .with the roller Y and lever'and spring P, the said love-r having a pin-attachment, that passes through the lever Pond into openings in said arni Q. i

i What I claim as myin'ventio-n', and desire to secnre by Letters Patent, is

potato-digger having wheel A, grooved wheel B, roller D, arms C, shovel E, arms F, .belt G, box H,

lever K, bar M, spring 0, and pnller S, constructed, combined, arranged, and operating substantially as set forth. i

4 MOSES JOHNSON. Witnesses:

L. N. S'rnon, Jn, Jno,..S. Monner. 

